Heaven Scent - The Woman Who Anointed Jesus’ Feet - The One Year Women in Christian History Devotional

Luke 7:36-50

In the Bible there are two accounts of women who pour perfume on Jesus’ feet and wipe his feet clean with their hair. These are incredibly intimate moments that we are privileged to get a glimpse of. In one of the accounts, Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus, anoints Jesus’ feet when he is a guest in her home (see John 12:1-8). In the other account, the woman is unnamed (see Luke 7:36-50).

Jesus was dining at the house of Simon the Pharisee, and an “immoral” woman knelt before him. She allowed her tears to fall onto Jesus’ feet; then she wiped his feet clean with her hair. She kissed his feet and poured perfume from an alabaster jar on them.

When the Pharisee questioned how Jesus, if he really was who he said he was, could allow this to happen, Jesus had the chance to explain something that we all need to understand.

The woman, apparently, was considered by others and by herself to be a big sinner. Even Jesus said she had “many sins” (Luke 7:47, NIV). Did she have more sins than the Pharisee? Only God knows. Most likely, she recognized her sins, while the Pharisee was blind to his own. But because she was aware of her sins, was aware of her need for forgiveness, and had faith that Jesus could forgive them, Jesus was able to say confidently to her, “Your sins are forgiven” and “Your faith has saved you; go in peace” (Luke 7:48, 50).

The thing is, everyone sins. When we recognize this and come before Jesus in faith, we can find peace and forgiveness.

Jesus told the Pharisee that a person who is forgiven little shows only little love. Does this mean that you need to run out and commit a whole bunch of sins so they can be forgiven so you can love more? No. We all have plenty of sins to be forgiven already. But when we, like that Pharisee, let personal pride keep us from seeking forgiveness, we miss out on the relationship-deepening pardon God wants to offer us.

I tell you, her sins—and they are many—have been forgiven, so she has shown me much love.

Luke 7:47